You Cannot Be Stopped

No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17 ESV

Illustration

In February 1980, the U.S. Olympic hockey team slipped its foot into a glass slipper and walked away with a gold medal at Lake Placid, New York. Those collegians had shocked the world by upsetting the powerful Soviet team, and then they grabbed the championship from Finland while the crowd chanted, “U.S.A.!” Before his team’s victory over the Soviet Union which advanced them to the finals, the coach of the U.S. hockey team told his players, “You are born to be a player. You are meant to be here at this time. This is your moment.” (Today in the Word, July 1990, p. 11).

Many people live in fear and dread of failure. They doubt their abilities and are consumed by the possibility they may not reach their ultimate goal. Believers, however, must operate with a different mindset. We must first accept we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. That means every challenge and every setback will work to our good. Second, we must believe we cannot be stopped.

Our destiny was written by God and cannot be changed by any individual or demonic spirit. All is that is required of us is to operate in the spirit of excellence with a strong faith in God and confidence in our God-given abilities. We must not settle for what others give us or think we deserve. This does not mean we have to be arrogant or greedy. We must be determined, persistent, and focused.

The only person that can stop us is us. Eyes have not seen, nor ears have heard the height of our elevation despite our challenges and failures. We must learn to take every NO as an opportunity to become stronger and better. Every challenge or challenger is preparing us for the success that lies ahead. Even during this pandemic, scientists have discovered that the human body has learned to adapt and become more resistant to viruses.

In today’s text, the prophet Isaiah is reminding the Israelites living in exile in Babylon that God has not forsaken them despite their circumstance. He assured them that “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed.” That means their captivity will end according to prophecy and they will go back to their homeland to worship the God of their ancestors in the temple in Jerusalem. This word of assurance was badly needed by these discouraging exiles who felt defeated and did not think they would ever be free from captivity.

Sometimes we must be reminded that our present location is not our final destination. Because you are a child of God and are created for great works, no one can stop you from reaching the highest level of academia or corporate success, if that’s your heart's desire. Remember, “you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.” Simply put, people may not like you. They may lie about you or spread false rumors about you. But they cannot stop you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.

God will vindicate those that have been discriminated against, wrongly accused, or unfairly denied opportunities for promotion because of their race. He will vindicate those who are economically or politically oppressed and marginalized. So, avoid self-pity and don’t try to make accuses for not operating in excellence. Be steadfast in the pursuit of excellence and trust God to vindicate you for all the hardships you endured, and for the price you have had to pay to live out your God-given purpose.

This is your moment to shine for the world to see the greatness God has poured into you. You are meant to be where you are trying to go. Even if no one in your family has achieved whatever it is you want to achieve, you can do it. You may face some giants like the 1980 US Olympic hockey team. But giants can be slain. You cannot be stopped.

Questions for Personal Reflection

How can you encourage believers that are walking in defeat instead of victory?

What steps are you going to take after reading this devotional to live in victory?

Prayer- Blessed Lord, thank you for reminding me of the victory I already have in Christ Jesus. Please help me to remain confident in my God-given purpose and not allow the giants of life to stop my elevation. I trust in your promises and know that everything will work for my good according to your will for my life.